Meanwhile at Bangalore
Jenny had reacted to the address that was given by Maaran and stood in front of the building with her luggage. She looked around to find the apartment a compact and economic one with a small number of houses. She moved to a corner and called Maaran to know about the flat and key as he had informed.
Jenny: good evening bro.. reach agitan.. entha floor poganum ?
Maaran: Hi da.. third floor door no 17.. nee mela po nan line laya irukan..
Jenny agreed before she managed to carry her luggages and reach the floor through the lift. She plopped the bag on the floor and stretched her arms.
Jenny: vantan bro..
Maaran: Haan opposite flat la key irukum ring pani un peru matum solu kudupanga..
Jenny: seri bro..
She moved forward to knock on the door but paused in the air with a surprised reaction when she found Madan in front of her. When she was assigned to Banglore she guessed she might have to come across Madan but not soon. She guessed this might be Maaran's plan and decided to toast him.
Madan smiled at her and moved aside, giving her way to get in.
Madan: ulla va.
Jenny came back to reality and looked at the phone only to realize it was disconnected.
Madan: Avan apava cut panitan.. nee first ulla va..
He said moving forward to collect her bags
Jenny: paravala irukatum.
Madan: atha kai valikuthu illa apram enna pesama va..
Jenny raised her eyebrows in surprise and looked at the door for any peephole but couldn't not find it.
Madan: night full ah angaya irukalam nu plan ah ?
He stood in the middle of the small compact apartment with a hall, an open kitchen attached to the hall and a master bedroom. Jenny shook her head before she got into the house.
Madan gave Jenny who sat on the sofa a cup of tea and sat on a bean bag opposite to her. Madan was silently sipping his coffee but knew she was looking over the cup at him with a lot of questions.
Madan cleared his throat: epadi iruka.. she nodded… Maya epadi iruka ?
Jenny: iruka..
Madan: sonan.. mutaal seriyana mutaal.. ena pesanum onu theriyathu..
Jenny: Avuruku matum ah… Madan softly smiled for her taunt.. ah.. sorry..
Madan: paravala..
He collected the cups after they were done and left into the kitchen and came back with a key.
Madan: intha key.. fully furnished tha.. unaku venum gara things matum Inga pakathula super market iruku anga vangikalam.. athu varaiku ethachu venum na solu..
Jenny: seri..
Madan: ipa poi refresh panitu va nan dinner senju vaikaran.
Jenny: illa paravala nan ethachu order panikaran..
Madan: Pesa tha mata nu ninachan.. ana nan senja sapda kuda mataiya ?
Jenny: illa illa apdi Ella ethuvum illa.. Seri nan poi refresh panitu varen..
Madan nodded before Jenny quickly grabbed one of her bags and jogged to the opposite flat. As soon as she locked the door behind her she leaned on it and let out the breath that she did not realize. The tears that she controlled now fell on her cheeks and she never took time to wipe it off. She knew she loved him too the point that she could not live without him and missing him all these months was too hard. The only thing she wanted to do after seeing him at the door step was to hug him tight and stay in his embrace forever. But still her mind warned her of the chances that might happen in the last 7 months after he had left. She painfully controlled back her emotions as she did not know if anyone else was in his life. The only thing she did not know was that the person of her thought was letting down tears, while leaning on the opposite door. Later at night the dinner was a silent affair.
During the initial days they kept their conversations to a minimum. Both wanted the other to take a step forward and also when it did not happen they convinced themselves with some reasons. They shared good mornings when they left the office and good evenings when they returned. With days passing their good evening was extended to tea time when anyone was too tired to even prepare. Jenny being new to the place was too confused for everything and Madan came for the rescue. The weekly visit to the nearby shop to buy vegetables and groceries became the routine for the next couple of months. But in the third month Jenny started behaving off after one of the shop visits.They felt that they were back to square one in their bond. They felt their friendship was lost but their love stayed intact within their hearts. Madan was confused first but was quick to realize the reason. While they were returning from the shop he met a girl, one of his co-workers and for Jenny they seemed a bit close and she had also noticed him being on call many times with a woman. He guessed she might have misunderstood the two separate events and decided to clarify it.
A week after the incident and her avoiding him, Jenny received a call from Madan on a mid-morning during her day off. She initially hesitated but with the unusual timing of his call she quickly picked it up.
Jenny: enna aachu intha nerathula kupdringa ?
Madan: onu illa Jenny oru help.
Jenny: solunga..
Madan: un kita spare key iruku ila atha konja eduthutu veetuku po?
Jenny: Yen ?
Madan: ila oru important ana file marantu vanta… atha konja scan pani anuparaya please ?
Jenny agreed and left to the house and searched for the file he asked for.
Jenny: Inga illa Madan.. she said searching his cupboard.
Madan: Anga illaya.. hey sorry nightstand la paran ?
Jenny: Ok..
Only after Madan heard the draw opening he remembered something and was about to stop her but heard her speak.
Jenny: kedachuruchu..
Madan: enathu… he asked in panic.
Jenny: File tha.. vera enna ?
Madan: oh seri nee scan panitu melaya file vechutu nan vanthu pathukaran..
Jenny: seri.
She disconnected the call before scanning everything and sending him the document. She opened the drawer and placed the file in it and turned to leave before something caught her attention. Her eyes welled up as she lifted and hugged it, her chest smiling widely.
Madan returned by late afternoon, early from his usual time. He tried to unlock the door but it was already unlocked. He frowned as he walked into the house and found Jenny on the small balcony of the bedroom. She was seated on the chair and looking nothing at particular. He was confused of the unusual thing but only when he moved to her he realized. She held the chain, her chain that was his companion for all these months in her absence. This was her silver chain which Tulasi used to showcase herself as Jenny and forgot to return it that day. He had kept it safe with him from the moment Tulasi had returned it after a week which later helped him to compensate for her absence all these months. He sighed before he sat opposite to him but she quickly stood up.
Madan: Jenny nilu..
Jenny stopped but did not turn to look at him.
Madan: evalo nalaiku nama namalaya yamathika porom..
Jenny: Madan..
Madan: iru.. nee pesuna enna pesa vidama paniruva.. nan soli tha unaku theriyanum nu ila nan yen intha chain ah vechu irukan nu.. ana atha neram un feelings ayum.. nan mathikaran.. nee enna vena Mudivu edu ana antha matum en kitaya kuduthuru..
Madan slowly pulled out the chain from her palm before he turned away to hide his tears while she stood staring at his eyes. Silence previledged for some time before Madan wiped the corner of eyes while he felt a strong grip around his abdomen. He looked down with squinted eyes before it bloomed into a smiled finding her arms wound around him.
Jenny: Sorry Madan.. really sorry.. sorry..
Madan held her hands before parting it and turning to face. He cupped her face and lifted it to find her eyes in a pool of tears.
Jenny: sorry ga..
Madan:shh..
He shushed her, placing his finger on her lips.
Madan: ethuku ivalo sorry..
Jenny: nee Inga enakaga ivalo porumaiya wait panitu iruka.. ana nan en mutal thanamana bayathu nala.. una othiki kasta paduthitu irunthu irukan.
Madan: mothala un bayam mutaal thanam anathu illa.. enga enna elanthuruvayo nu bayanthuthu oru vagaila nee Katra paasam than.
Jenny: illa Madan.. enna tha bayam irunthulum.. ne Inga vantha konja naal laya nee ilama enala iruka mudiyathunu purinju kitan.. ana anaiku nee move on agaratha pathi pesunathu enaku romba hurt Achu.. atha nee enaku wait panuvaiya nu paka tha un kuda pesama iruntha.. ana nee.. she caressed the chain before looking back into his eyes.
Madan: Athu anaiku nan venum tha apdi pesuna… una provoke pani un manasula irukaratha veli paduthanum nu tha apdi pana.
Jenny: paravala un plan veen Ela pola.
Madan chuckled: en plan illa..
Jenny: apram ?
Madan: Ela en thangachi plan..
Jenny gasped: apa athu naala tha Ava una pathi en kita ethuvum ah pesama irunthala ?
Madan nodded.
Jenny: apdi enna plan ?
—-
( Remember Maya giving a plan to Madan before he left to Bangalore... This that )
Maya smiled playfully before she moved beside Madan.
Maya: nan Solaratha seivaya ?
Madan: Enathu ?
Maya: nee banglore kelambi po..
Madan glared at her: sera idea kudupanu patha ipa piriya idea thara ?
Maya: ayoo anna future la Senthu irukanum na ipa pirinju tha aganum..
Madan: yen ma kolapara ?
Maya: anna ipa avalukkenna bayam.. Ava past la Ava love panavunga ella avala vitutu poitanga.. Ava appa amma friends nu..
Madan: ama..
Maya: atha mari enga ungalayum pirinjuruvomo nu bayathula tha panra.. antha bayatha poga veikarathu tha nama plan..
Madan: athuku.. nan Bangalore porathuku enna Samantham ?
Maya: Anna antha bayatha atha vida periya bayatha vechu tackle pana porom.
Madan: Haan ?
Maya: ayoo nee nejamava avana vida tubelight tha anna..
Madan pouted: solu please.
Maya: psch.. nee mothala Bangalore po.. apram avala una contact panama nee avala contact panatha?
Madan: hey uruku tha poga sona ipa pesa kuda kudathunu solara..
Maya: anna Solaratha kelu.. nee pesama iruntha tha.. avuluku nee illama irukarathu evalo pain nu puriyum.. apa thanala antha bayam maranthurum..
Madan: oh nee apdi solaraya ?
Maya: atha tha..
Maya hit the back of his head and shook her head in disbelief.
—
Jenny gasped hearing him while he smiled sheepishly. She hit on his chest playfully but he was quick to grasp her wrist and pull her closer. He wound her arms around him and put the strand of hair behind her ears. Jenny looked it into his eyes which displayed all the love that was stocked up and smiled. He clasped the chain in her neck before cupping her face and leaned forward to her forehead but stopped and looked at her eyes seeking permission. He smiled when she nodded and pressed his lips to her forehead while their eyes shead a lone tear of longing. Once Madan pulled away Jenny smiled at him and hugged him laying on his shoulders.
—---
A week after the seminar incident Maya was returning back to the hostel when she noticed Maaran in the garden.
Maaran: Paapa nilu.. Maya glared at him but Maaran sighed…nan tha solaran illa.. nan munadi ninachutu irunthathuku.. ipa una paapa nu kupdrakum.. sathiyama samantham illa di… nee kupda kudathunu sona odana ella kupdama iruka mudiyathu..
Maya: prechana panama poraiya..
Maaran: poga tha poran.. Bangalore ku..
Maya who was looking away turned him and frowned.
Maaran: nan romba naal ah try panitu iruntha illa oru company.. athu last month interview attend pani iruntha.. last week result vanthuchu.. next week join pana solaranga..
Maya: nee enga vena po ethuku enkita Solara?
Maaran: Maya purinjuko di..nan tha ivalo thadava solaran illa.. inum evalo naal tha ipadiya iruka pora.. he sighed.. nee evalo naal vena iru.. ana nan unakaga matum tha wait panuvan.. atha neram antha job wait panathu.. Nan ipa antha job eduthatha.. nama future nala iruku.. athu naala matum tha nan anga poga poran.. unaku epa enna Manichu ethukanum nu thonutha.. apa oru call panu odi vantharan… he got hold of her palms and to his surprise she did not snatch it away… ana vanthuru please..
He pulled her closer and kissed her temple before bidding bye and leaving the place.
Maya turned to the way he left and smiled with a welled up eyes before she sighed and left to the hostel.
–-----
Maya dialed Madan that night after Jenny did not attend her call.
Madan: solunga madam ipa tha intha anna kanuku therinjana ?
Maya: enna voice ella ore kuthukalam ah iruku.. enna vishiyam..
Madan: athu ella solaran.. mothala nee ethuku kuptanu solu.
Maya: Jenny phone edukala atha unaku kuptan..
Madan: Jenny ah Ava.
He looked at Jenny who was cooking their favourite dishes to reminish their memorable day and mouthed ‘ Maya’ . Jenny shook her head making him softly chuckled.
Madan: Ava Inga tha iruka ana unkuda pesa matalam.. Jenny nodded at him.
Maya: Yen enna va ?
Madan: athu onu illa.. nama pota plan Ella therinjuchu.
Maya: ayoo anna seriya makku na nee… athu kula sothapitiya.. athu seri nee ivalo naal thaku pudichatha perusu.. Ava vantha anaika olariruvanu ninachan..
Madan: Maya Maya iru..
Maya: enna ?
Madan: antha chain ah kuduthutu tha sona..
Maya: athayum kuduthutiya.. poc.. she paused as if she realized something before she squealed in excitement…anna nejama kuduthutiya ah ?
Madan: ama Maya.. kuduthutan.. athu nala tha Ava unkita pesa matingara.
Maya: oh madam aalu vanthathu friend ah kalati vidrangala ?
Madan: hey apdi illa.. nama plan ah olaritan illa.. atha..
Maya: Ava enga pakathula irukala ?
Madan: iruka iruka solu..
Maya: Avunga anna nuku… oru valiya puthi vanthuruchu nu solirunga.. she paused for a few seconds… Ok bye..
Jenny: hey hey iru di..
Madan: Ava cut pani kaal mani neram aachu..
Jenny: kudunga phone..
She pulled his phone and dialed Maya, waiting impatiently.
Maya: yaro en kita pesa matanga.. so nan call cut panran..
Jenny: ayoo suma vilayanda di.. atha vidu.. ipa nee enna sona ?
Maya: Ethuvum solalaya.. mothala nee solu evalo naal enguluku dimiki kudutha.. Ipa epadi di othukita ?
Jenny: Athu ella Apram solaran di.. please ipa nee ena sonanu solu..
Maya: Vidava pora.. Un bro ku kadasila nyayana uthayam vanthuruchu..
Jenny: enna di Sollara enna nadanthuchu ?
Maya: ivalo naal ah nan Avan kita thirumba poga matan nu nambika illama.. ena convince pana matum try panitu iruntha… ana inaiku nee vanthuruva nu theriyum ana nama future ah pakanum nu soli.. banglore la job join panratha pathi sonan..
Jenny: super di nee nenacha mari.. avuru una mulusa purinja start panitaru.. vera enna venum..
Maya: ithu Avan eduthu veikara first step matum tha di.. inum neraya iruku..
Jenny: yen di ippadi panra ?
Maya: illa Jenny Silla vishiyam ella clarification ilama nanga relationship kula ponathu tha ivalo periya prechanaya.. second time nan atha pana virumbala.. Avan melayum mulu thapu Sola matan.. en melaya thappu iruku.. Nanga atha seri panika intha time engaluku venum..
Jenny just hummed she knew whatever Maya would decide will always end in good. They continued to have some random talks before Madan and Jenny settled with the dinner that he had completed while she was busy over the phone.
Jenny: Madan..
Madan: solu..
Jenny: illa antha Chain epadi unga vanthuchu nu guess panitan.. ana Maya epadi neenga chain ah kuduthutan nu sonathu kandu pudicha ?
Madan smiled at her : Tulasi tha chain ah kuduthanga.. anaiku Sebastian arrest athu ithu nu maranta.. nu one week kalichu kuduthanga..
Jenny: Nan uh ivalo periya help panavunga kita poi epadi kekarathu.. etho marantanga polanu tha kekala…
Madan: nan uh un kita kudukanum kudukanum nu ninapan.. ana manasa varathu.. nan Bangalore kelambaraku rendu naal munadi Maya itha pathuta.. apa soli iruntha.. nee enna ethukara apa intha chain nan unaku kudupan.. illa na un nyabagam ah nana vechupan nu..
Jenny had no words as she smiled at him and welled up tears before she laid on his left shoulder.
Jenny: Madan.. she spoke after a long silence.
Madan: solu ma..
Jenny: enaku oru word kudunga.. ini mel ungaluku ena thonu nalum.. illa venum nalum.. en kita direct ah pesunga.. apdi ninachan.. ipadi ninachangara.. kathai nama kula Venda ... let us be an open book for eachother… yeah kastam tha but still.. let us try.. entha oru reason uh nama kula sandai kondu vara Venda..
Madan lifted her face up holding her chin and looked at the fear in her eyes of losing him. He pressed his lips on her forehead for a long time.
Madan: first… antha lusu payan mari ella nan pana matan.. ena irunthalum first un kita tha soluvan.. second… un bayam romba nyayam tha.. Athula entha thapu Sola Matan.. Ana ena mulusa nambi ithu kula va.. let's work on your fears together.. seriya ?
Jenny stared at him for a long minute before she softly sobbed on his shoulders. He knew she needed those tears and silently caressed her hair.
******
Hi dearssss chapter epadi irukunu solunga.
Finally oru jodi senthachu.. next ku ready ah ? They will be ok by chapter and we are almost to the end of past. You will see one more before moving present and past might in between most probably just one or Two.
Do vote and share if you like and comment your suggestions.